SRINAGAR, Sep 10: Normal life was affected in Kashmir today in view of a general strike called by separatists on the visit of union home minister Rajnath Singh to Kashmir. The authorities imposed restrictions in the areas falling under the jurisdiction of six police stations in Srinagar city.

The restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Srinagar areas falling under the jurisdiction of six Police Stations including Nowhatta, M R Gunj, Rainawari, Khanyar, Safakadal and Maisuma as precautionary measures, officials said.

Security men and police personnel were deployed in strength to enforce the restrictions. They had sealed the roads with barbed wire and vehicles.

Public and private transport was off the roads in the restriction bound areas. However, some private vehicles were seen plying on roads in rest of areas despite the shutdown. However, public transport was mostly off the roads.

The separatist leadership of Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik had given the strike call. Both Geelani and Mirwaiz are under house arrest and Malik has been lodged in central jail after his arrest.

Reports from Anantnag said that amid shutdown, strict restrictions were imposed in the town on the visit of union home minister Rajnath Singh.

The home minister arrived at district police lines Khanabal this morning amid tightened security arrangements all across the district. The Home Minister, official sources said, interacted with the police personal at DPL and later visited 90 battalion CRPF camp stationed at Uranhall where he interacted with the para-military men.

Ahead of his visit to the area, militants had yesterday attacked a police party near General bus stand Anantnag killing a cop identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad and injuring another.

To prevent any disturbance during his visit, authorities had put in place severe restrictions in the town and its peripheries. Since early morning police men, para-military troopers and army men manned the streets in Anantnag town to restrict the movement of the people. Huge contingents of forces had also been deployed along the national highway. Besides, the forces had also sealed all the entry points leading to the town by placing barbed wires on the roads. The security force personnel who were deployed in huge numbers near the entry points, witnesses said, did not allow any vehicles to enter the town.

A police official said the restrictions were put in place to ensure that there is no disturbance anywhere during the visit of the home minister.

SRINAGAR, Sep 10: National Conference (NC) today demanded that government of India must unequivocally defend Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
According to the party, the demand was made during a meeting of NC delegation led by Omar Abdullah with union home minister Rajnath Singh.
While highlighting the political, historical and constitutional context of the state’s special status, Omar registered the party’s concern and disappointment over the central government’s ambiguity in defending th